Masterblaster

My review was written in July 1987 after watching the movie on Prism video cassette.

Currently in regional release ahead of its home video destiny, "Masterblaster" is another entry in the stillborn genre of mock killing games that get out of hand (e.g., "TAG: The Assassination Game", "Gotcha" or "The Zero Boys").

Jeff Moldovan (who also co-scripted) plays Jeremy Hawk, a Vietnam ve involved in a tournament to decide who is masterblaster, the best at a survival/fortune hunt course in which losers are shot with red paint rather than bullets. Of course, a madman is on the loose, killing the participas for real. Despite humorous red herrings, including Hawk's rumored background of war atrocities, killer's identity is fairly easy to guess, though his motives are unbelievable when finally revealed.

Low-budget actioner shot in Florida is heavy on talk. Typical of recent pictures in which stunt persons figure prominently both behind and in front of the camera, pic's acting is flat, particularly that of taciturn lead Moldovan. Several false endings in which characters thought to be dead turn out to be still kicking come off as extremely hokey.

This movie isn't for everyone. Going in, I expected it to be a 'bad' movie, really that's why I bought it. It was $1 by the way, my local video store went out of business so I bought like 20 tapes. But, bad as it is, it was still fun for me to watch.

Two things that bothered was the police woman asking the Vietnam dude if he really killed women and children in Nam. Well...if they just met a few hours ago, they only announced he was 'a real killer' in the war at the meeting, and the guy is a loner, how the hell does she know this? Also, the ending is pretty stupid. But, I laughed because of how corny it was. The theme song is pretty sweet too.

Worth a rental if you're into obscure 80s movies with poor acting, weak plots, and clichéd characters. My only misfortune is that the video store I bought this from was the only good one around here and Blockbuster doesn't rent stuff like this.

War games with paintball guns turn lethal when an unknown maniac starts picking off the participants one by one. Bottom-of-the-barrel action fare, with a cast of actors you've never heard before or since, directed by a man who never directed another film, before or since. Wait till you hear the killer's motivation; it will make you fall off your seat (or bed). A solid 0 out of 4.

First and foremost, this movie has one of the greatest title tracks ever produced. Be warned for, if you have never seen this movie, the Masterblaster theme song will likely be etched into your brain until your dying day, should you choose to watch. It's just that good.

I've watched this stupid thing countless times and I have to admit that I love this movie. In fact, it is one of my all-time favorites. All the characters are over the top cheesy, serious 80's action flick stereotypes to the hilt, and they even had the courtesy of starting the movie with the redneck bar fight scene, rather than wait 20 or 30 minutes into the movie, like most action flicks do. They don't mess around! And the ending? Spectacular! One of the best ever! If you are a fan of 80's action schlock, I can't recommend this one enough.

For the first time I watched this movie ten years ago and then I thought that this one is great. Well, in that time I was 7 years old and each primitive movie was a great for me. Two months ago I watched "Master Blaster" again, but only now I understand as far as this movie stupid and absurd. It's more looks like thriller than action.